Vaccines

While tuberculosis is not a major health issue in New Zealand, worldwide it remains the leading infectious disease killer.  

The vaccine against tuberculosis, called BCG, was first developed in… Audio

A small biotech start-up based in Nelson aims to end to the suffering caused by viral disease and at the same time up-end the way pharmaceutical drugs are developed. Co-founder, chief science officer… Audio

This week, a documentary from Stuff Circuit delved into the country's growing extreme far-right and anti-vax movement. Why did the makers of Fire & Fury decide to platform a group of conspiracy-minded… Audio

Traces of poliovirus in New York's sewage system have health authorities concerned a recent case could be the tip of the iceberg. Audio

Science commentator Dr Siouxsie Wiles joins Kathryn to talk about research that's modelled how many lives were saved during the first year the vaccines were available, a catnip plant from Japan and… Audio

We've all heard about new Omicron subvariants with such names as BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5. The recent proliferation of variants begs the question: is Covid-19 mutating faster than ever before? Dr Sebastian… Audio

The Prime Minister has announced.  she's bringing forward the full re-opening of our borders, from October to July. Travel operator Robyn Galloway's noticed that travel is very different now, with… Audio

Midweek Mediawatch: Hayden Donnell talks to Karyn Hay about alternative approaches to stories about our housing and transport problems - and news media getting a green light to try and get Facebook… Audio

Covid-19 hospitalisations hit a record high today with Director General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield announcing 845 people are now admitted.

There's also been rising abuse towards GPs, changes to New… Audio

A doctor who sent 600 anti-Covid-vaccination texts to patients has been appealing his suspension in court today.

Dr Matthew Shelton discouraged patients from getting the vaccine, and allegedly told… Audio

Immunisation Advisory Centre Medical Advisor Professor Peter McIntyre has told Checkpoint there has been "mandate creep" in schools where children are not mandated to be vaccinated, but are being… Video, Audio

Only about 60 percent of eligible people have had their Covid booster shot so far, even though we are told it is the best defence against the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

In real numbers… Video, Audio

The unwanted arrival of Omicron appears to have spurred on the country's Covid vaccine rollout, with the number of booster doses ticking over one million today.

Other people are bringing their… Audio

Siouxsie joins Kathryn with an update on Omicron and vaccines for children. And she'll detail research into an mRNA vaccine against HIV that is showing promise in animal studies. Associate Professor… Audio

Oscar-nominated British actor Tim Roth joins the show to discuss his latest move, Bergman Island, and his experience of living and working in New Zealand on the movie Punch during the first lockdown.